Principles of methodology : research design in social science / created by Perri 6 and Christine Bellamy.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part I. Foundations : what methodology is and does. Inference and warrant in designing research ; Methodology and social science knowledge ; Testing, confirming and falsifying ; Perspectives on findings from social research; Part II. Designs : the main types of research design. Types of research design ; Variable-oriented research designs ; Case-based research designs ; Comparative and case-oriented research designs ; Concept formation; Part III. Achievements : what research makes inferences to. Why ideas about explanation matter for methodology ; Basic forms of explanation ; Mechanisms, contexts and trajectories ; Warranting explanations ; Between-case and within-case strategies ; Interpretation ; Warranting interpretations; Part IV Synthesis : combinations and trade-offs. Combining research designs ; Trade-offs in research design.

This book provides a comprehensive, accessible guide to social science methodology. In so doing, it establishes methodology as distinct from both methods and philosophy.
Most existing textbooks deal with methods, or sound ways of collecting and analysing data to generate findings. In contrast, this innovative book shows how an understanding of methodology allows us to design research so that findings can be used to answer interesting research questions and to build and test theories.
Most important things in social research (e.g., beliefs, institutions, interests, practices and social classes) cannot be observed directly. This book explains how empirical research can nevertheless be designed to make sound inferences about their nature, effects and significance.
The authors examine what counts as good description, explanation and interpretation, and how they can be achieved by striking intelligent trade-offs between competing design virtues.